POTENTIAL H5N1 DETECTED IN GREECE, AWAITING

UNCLAS ATHENS 000386 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AMBASSADOR POWELL STATE FOR EUR/OES CONNORS ROME FOR AGRI WIGGINS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON GR AVIANFLU SUBJECT: POTENTIAL H5N1 DETECTED IN GREECE, AWAITING CONFIRMATION OF RESULTS FROM UK. REF: A. 2005 ATHENS 2715 ¶B. 2005 ATHENS 2748 ¶1. (U) This is a joint Thessaloniki-Athens telegram. ¶2. (U) Summary: Three migratory swans in the greater Thessaloniki area have tested positive for the H5 virus. Samples have been sent to the Community Reference Laboratory in Weybridge, UK to test for the presence of any H5N1 strain. Results are expected in 2-8 days. The district Governor has established a six-mile buffer zone and two-mile surveillance zones in the areas where the birds were found. The reports of H5 virus have created great concern in the Thessaloniki area, both because of the health impact and because of the potential impact on the Greek poultry industry. In contrast, Post is encouraged by the speed and competency with which the GoG is handling this situation in comparison to the earlier incidents reported (reftels). We will continue to stay in close contact with the GoG as this investigation continues. End Summary. ¶3. (U) Three migratory swans were collected by fishermen and ornithologists in coastal areas near Thessaloniki 10 days ago, and have preliminarily tested positive for H5 virus. Of the three, one swan was found alive, but in bad condition, in an outlying suburb 20 km east of Thessaloniki; a second was found dead in the small village of Stavros at the crossroads of the national highway to Kavala, and a third dead swan was collected on the Katerini coast near Mt. Olympus. All three were tested at the Virology Laboratory in Thessaloniki. In the past week this lab has tested 124 birds, including 52 swans, and all but these three samples were negative. A total of 3,500 birds have been tested in the last six months. Since the beginning of February, 16 dead swans had been found in the Thermaicos Gulf which encompasses the greater Thessaloniki area. ¶4. (U) Despite these measures, locals in the area are panicked. Thessaloniki Vice-Regional Governor Vikos, debunking press reports of a "quarantine" of these areas, has set up a two-mile surveillance and six-mile buffer zone around each site where an infected swan was found. Domesticated birds in these areas must be kept indoors and are subject to frequent veterinary inspections; structures have also been disinfected. The Ministry of Agriculture called upon local authorities to intensify checks of poultry farms. Veterinarians and Ministry of Health officials are inspecting for the proper implementation of EU bio-security regulations on poultry farms and the local population. The immediate vicinity where the birds were found was disinfected, and the fishermen and ornithologists who had contact with the dead birds are under medical supervision for 10 days. Hunting in the Thessaloniki and Katerini (Pieria) prefectures has also been prohibited. ¶5. (U) Comment: Post believes that the Ministry of Agriculture is taking appropriate measures to reduce the threat of a potential outbreak of Avian Influenza. The speed and coordination with which the GoG is reacting, in contrast to the events of last year, highlight the increased competence the relevant authorities are bringing to this investigation. If H5N1 is detected in the dead swans, it will point to the success of the early detection system put into place by the GoG. It is also important to note that to date, there have been no confirmed human contractions or deaths from H5N1. ¶6. (U) Due to adverse weather conditions during the last two weeks, there has been a massive swan migration from north to south, which, combined with the freezing of inland lakes in northern Greece, has driven the birds toward the heavily populated Aegean coast. So far, no cases of the H5 virus have been found in the Evros River area along the Turkish border. Of concern, however, is the recent announcement of confirmed Avian Influenza in Nigeria. Northern migration of African birds to Greece and other Mediterranean countries will begin in mid-March, thus providing another avenue for the penetration of H5N1 into mainland Europe. Athens and Thessaloniki will remain vigilant and will report additional information on this issue as available. RIES